Saturday Night Live kicked off its 2026 season with a sharp and funny sketch that directly addressed what many viewers had already been discussing online. The popular show Stranger Things had recently concluded, but the franchise showed no signs of slowing down. Hosted by actor Finn Wolfhard, the pre-recorded segment cleverly mocked the entertainment industry's obsession with extending successful series far beyond their natural endings.
The Premise: When Endings Stop Mattering
The sketch opened with a simple yet exaggerated premise. Once Netflix sees massive viewership numbers for a final season, traditional conclusions become irrelevant. The parody suggested that sequels, prequels, and spin-offs inevitably follow until every character gets their own show. This setup allowed SNL to explore hilarious hypothetical extensions of the Stranger Things universe.
Character Spin-Offs Take Center Stage
The fake trailer first introduced Strangerous Minds, which brought back Steve Harrington in a completely new role. He was recast as an inner-city drama teacher in Los Angeles, playing on the long-running joke that Steve remains frozen in teenage mode well into adulthood. This segment also poked fun at Hollywood's habit of repackaging familiar characters in fresh settings.
Next came The Wheeler Report, focusing on Nancy Wheeler's journalism career. The parody presented her as a star investigator tackling major 1990s crimes, including the infamous O.J. Simpson white Ford Bronco car chase. This spin-off was framed as a prestige procedural, suggesting Nancy was always destined for investigative greatness.
Mike in Manhattan: A Hilarious Departure
The most elaborate parody featured Mike Wheeler living in 1990s New York. Mike in Manhattan presented him as a writer in a Sex and the City-style romantic comedy. In one scene, Mike, Lucas, and Dustin awkwardly gossip about each other's sex lives, creating a stark contrast with their monster-fighting past in Hawkins.
The sketch showed Mike typing away, using his relationship with Eleven as material for a coming-of-age story. His memorable line, "When you've dated Eleven, even tens fall short," highlighted his inability to move on. The portrayal of Mike as a cocaine-addled New Yorker added both cringe and humor to the segment.
Notable Absences and Fan Theories
Will Byers was conspicuously missing from the sketch. The joke explained this with a single line: his coming-out scene was "still going." This directly referenced widespread criticism that the scene in the final season felt unnecessarily long, despite its narrative importance.
The parody also mocked internet obsession with a nonexistent ninth episode called Conformity Gate. The fake trailer claimed this fan-favorite episode "actually existed," suggesting everything viewers saw was an illusion planted by Vecna. Main characters appeared relocated to Iceland, searching for Eleven as if the show had simply resumed under new explanations.
Audience Reactions and Online Buzz
Online discussions quickly focused on specific moments rather than the entire sketch. Viewers repeatedly quoted Steve's line, "I was 17 for 10 years," while others expressed genuine interest in seeing Mike in Manhattan become reality. Comments like "needs to happen ASAP" highlighted the parody's unexpected appeal.
The Episode 9 gag received immediate attention. Several viewers noted that the "mysterious ninth episode" fans had debated online was finally being acknowledged, even if only through satire. Simple comments like "Conformity Gate mentioned" demonstrated how effectively the sketch tapped into existing fan conversations.
Some audience members shared unique perspectives. One viewer mentioned being in the live audience and finding the sketch especially funny knowing the Duffer brothers were watching from the studio. This added layer of meta-humor resonated with dedicated fans.
A Grudging Recognition of Compelling Ideas
Interestingly, many comments revealed a grudging recognition that these fake spin-offs were oddly compelling. Despite general weariness toward endless franchise extensions, viewers admitted they would actually watch these proposed shows. This reaction highlighted the sketch's clever balance between criticism and genuine entertainment value.
The SNL premiere successfully captured the current entertainment landscape where successful franchises rarely end cleanly. By exaggerating industry trends and fan behaviors, the sketch provided both laughter and thoughtful commentary on modern media consumption habits.
